UNPA leaders to call on Kalam on Wednesday

CHENNAI: AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa, along with other leaders of the newly-formed United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA), will call on President A P J Abdul Kalam in New Delhi on Wednesday to persuade him to contest the Presidential election for a second term.

Jayalalithaa would be going to Delhi on Wednesday as the President had granted an appointment to UNPA leaders at 3.30pm.

The conclave of eight regional parties, which met at Jayalalithaa's residence here on Monday, decided to support Dr Kalam for a second term and appealed to all political parties to sink their differences and support the incumbent President as he was the "only candidate who commanded respect from all sections."

The leaders also decided to meet Dr Kalam and personally persuade him to contest the election.

Besides the AIADMK, the Telugu Desam Party, Samajwadi Party, INLD, Assom Gana Parishad, Jharkand Vikas Morcha, MDMK and Kerala Congress (J) are part of the UNPA.